Axar to replace injured Jadeja in Test squad

Melbourne: Young left-arm spinner Axar Patel will replace an injured Ravindra Jadeja, who was on Monday ruled out due to a shoulder injury from India's remaining two Tests against Australia.

According to a media release issued by the BCCI, "Axar Patel will join the Indian team in Australia for the remainder of the Test Series as a replacement for Ravindra Jadeja, who has a shoulder injury and will be returning to India to undergo a rehabilitation program."

The injury will also raise question marks over whether Jadeja will recover in time for the ODI tri-series in January, which will be India's preparatory ground for the World Cup.

The opportunity couldn't have come at a better time for the 20-year-old Axar, who has already played 9 ODIs for India taking 14 wickets with best figures of 3/40 against Sri Lanka. He was in contention for a place in the ODI squad for the Tri-series after the Gujarat boy impressed one and all by taking 11 wickets from the five ODIs against Sri Lanka.

He is only two seasons old in first-class cricket having made his Ranji Trophy debut in 2012 against Madhya Pradesh. He has so far played 10 first-class matches with 32 wickets to his name. Axar is currently playing for Gujarat against Saurashtra at Rajkot in an ongoing Ranji Trophy match where he emerged as the most successful bowler for his team in the first innings grabbing 4/72.

He will probably be reaching Melbourne in time before the Boxing Day Test match starts on Friday.